Den of Desire
Authors: Shauna Hart
Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Erotica, #Romantic, #Romance, #Contemporary
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Den Of Desire
by Shauna Hart
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Erotic Romance/Suspense/Thriller
Whiskey Creek Press
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Copyright ©2009 by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.
CONTENTS
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* * * *
DEN OF DESIRE
by
Shauna Hart
WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Published by
WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
Whiskey Creek Press
PO Box 51052
Casper, WY 82605-1052
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Copyright © 2009 by Shauna Hart
Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
ISBN 978-1-60313-624-2
Credits
Cover Artist: Nancy Donahue
Editor: Stephanie Parent
Printed in the United States of America
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT
DEN OF DESIRE
“What can I say but hot, hot, hot. This is not only a love story with blow your mind sex scenes but a book you can't put down. There is suspense, characters you want to know more about and a fascinating setting. Joe is the man you would love to come home to, and Mara is the woman we women sometimes strive to be. Purchasing this book will leave you wanting to read more from this author. You will not be disappointed.”
You gotta read reviews
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT
THE PLEASURE OF SIN
“Author Shauna Hart delivers on this one in a novel that is powerful and intriguing. I was particularly impressed with Ms. Hart's ability to conceal clues under layers of escalating suspense, dangling just enough information to provide constant cliffhangers which enticed me to breathlessly turn page after page with heart in mouth and libido fired up. Readers will thrill to Ms. Hart's revelations of the secret sensual club where members practice in erotic abandon, where voyeurism and anonymous sexuality rule. Mystery vies with sensuality, riveting this reader's attention.”
“THE PLEASURE OF SIN is an exciting novel that will captivate readers from first sentence to last. I could not put it aside. Intriguing characters, constantly escalating suspense, lyrical prose, and undercurrents of exotic sensuality make this a don't miss read. Run, do not walk, to your nearest outlet and buy THE PLEASURE OF SIN.”
Dark Angel Reviews
4 out of 5 hearts
“The novel is highly erotic and succeeds well as a mystery. The author gives just enough hints to foreshadow her solution. The New Orleans sex scene was interesting and believable. Shauna Hart does a great job exploring some of our steamier inner desires.”
The Romance Studio
Other Books by Author Available at Whiskey Creek Press:
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
The Pleasure of Sin
Dedication
To my mother, Sharon, thank you for being my best friend.
To my father, Robert, thank you for all of the love and support that you have given me.
To Nonny, thank you for encouraging me to be creative.
To my uncle Sam and aunt Jami, thank you for giving me the confidence to believe in my writing.
To my aunt Toni Ann and uncle Bill, thank you for all the love and laughter we have shared together.
To my in-laws, Chris and Patricia, thank you for always believing in me.
To Pepper and Nutmeg, thank you for being the best writing partners a girl could ever have.
And as always, to my husband, Willchris, thank you for proving that my soul mate was out there.
I love you with all my heart.
Chapter 1
What was she doing here?
She still couldn't believe that she'd let Lexi talk her into this. She knew that time was running out. After all, the deadline for her next erotic romance novel was only a month away, and she hadn't written a single word. Readers expecting the next Mara Templeton novel were definitely going to be disappointed if she didn't find some way to spark the muse. The two words that every writer dreads couldn't have struck at a worse time.
Writer's block.
Like the nemesis in the Harry Potter series, it was something that every writer feared but didn't dare speak of aloud. But after a messy breakup two months ago, it had become her constant companion. She couldn't deny that her breakup with Dan had been a shock. It wasn't every day she found her boyfriend in bed with another woman. Still, it wasn't like their relationship was a hot one. It wasn't even lukewarm. After living together for four months, anything hot about their relationship had died a lonely death within the first few weeks.
So, why was she having this problem?
It was a good question.
One that she didn't have an answer for.
Now, as she stood outside the club, she wondered if her problem wasn't a bout of insanity. She looked up at the large X that hung over the door. At night, it would light up half of the block. But now, in the light of day, it was little more than an outline. She willed herself to knock, willed herself to be bold and brave like the characters in her books, but a part of her wavered.
When Lexi'd offered to take her to the club, she'd refused. As much as she wanted to be as wild and free as Lexi was, the truth was that they were complete opposites. She had never done anything like the things Lexi did. Until recently, it had seemed like her life was right on course. She had a successful career and a solid relationship. Now, she was beginning to see how naïve she had been.
Sensing that she was nervous about visiting the club, Lexi had set up a private walk-through with the owner during the day. She could still remember her friend's good-natured prodding.
“What have you got to lose? Maybe if you walk around the place, you will get a few ideas. I know that I always do,” she said with a wink.
She knew Lexi was right.
What could touring the club when it was closed hurt?
She raised her hand to knock mere seconds before it was pulled open. Her gaze rose to meet an arresting pair of green eyes. One eyebrow arched.
“Miss Templeton?”
She offered him a timid smile. “Yes, I'm here to meet...”
“Joe Gates,” he replied, holding out his hand.
She wasn't sure what she had pictured when she thought of the man who owned the hottest sex club in town. Maybe bald, with the look of a pervert? But she definitely hadn't expected him to be so ... sexy.
Why would a guy like him be working in a place like this?
She placed her hand in his, noting how large it felt as it closed around her own. Instead of shaking it, he pulled her inside, closing the door behind them.
“Lexi said you wanted a private tour,” he said.
Despite the darkness, she could feel his eyes traveling the length of her body.
“Yes,” she managed.
He pulled a remote out of his pocket to press a button. Instantly, the room was flooded with light. Mara looked down the long narrow hall, her surprise evident. She wasn't sure what she was expecting.
But this wasn't it.
The place looked like little more than a glorified basement with track lighting. After everything she had heard from Lexi about how wonderful the place was, this was definitely not what she had envisioned.
He walked ahead of her, and she followed behind him.
“Normally, I wouldn't grant a request like this, but Lexi's a friend,” he observed.
Mara's eyebrows arched. She couldn't help but wonder what his definition of a friend was. Had they slept together? Her gaze fell to the way his ass filled out the pair of dress slacks he wore. The man definitely wore pants well. His black hair curled over the collar of his royal blue dress shirt, which was stretched over wide shoulders.
She could see why the place stayed in business. The man was a walking advertisement for sex, even if he did seem to have a slight attitude problem. He turned the corner, and her eyes widened. Rooms lined either side of the walls, their interior lights blinking on in chorus as she walked past. Her attention was immediately drawn to a room on the left. A circular bed rotated in the center. The interior of the room was draped in purple satin.
A glance to the right revealed a stark contrast. Chains were suspended from the ceiling and the floor. A variety of toys hung from the pegs at the back of the room. She turned to look at him only to find him watching her intently.
“I'm sorry if it's an inconvenience,” she muttered, her brain still a little scrambled from the view. She felt his gaze on her body, and her nipples tightened against the thin material of her dress.
“I didn't say that. I just think it's a waste of time,” he explained casually.
Her eyes narrowed. “I'm not sure I understand what you mean.”
He walked over to her slowly, coming to stand before her. Reaching over, he twirled one of her blonde curls around his finger. “I don't think you can understand what the club has to offer until you experience it firsthand.”
His words robbed the air from her lungs. She could feel the heat of his body against hers. And it felt good. Too good. Her eyes met his, and his full lips slid into a smile. Her mind went to forbidden places.
Places where naked bodies met.
She had to get a hold of herself before she did something stupid.
“Look, Mr. Gates...”
“Joe,” he corrected.
“Joe. This isn't exactly my first book,” she reminded him curtly.
His gaze lifted to the ceiling for a moment as he replied. “Yes, I know. I've read them.”
Her eyebrows furrowed together. “You've read my books?” she asked, her surprise evident.
He stared at her but didn't elaborate.
“And?” she prodded.
His eyebrows rose, his lips curling on a smirk. “They were ... okay.”
Her eyes widened. “Okay?”
He tilted his head to the side at her reaction. “Yes.”